By Francis Sadhere

The Media Assistant to Chief Amos Itihwe, DESOPADEC Commissioner representing Ughelli South, Udu, Uvwie and Urhobos of Warri South, Mr. Precious Onome Ejenake has said that the DESOPADEC Commissioner cannot be distracted by critics and cheap blackmailers who are bound to attack his image and that of his office.

Chief Amos Itihwe, DESOPADEC Commissioner representing Ughelli South, Udu, Uvwie and Urhobos of Warri South.

Reacting to a post by Secrets Reporters on their website dated 6th March, 2016, Mr. Ejenake said it was with disdain that he condemned in its entirety the information contained in the said post because it is a complete bunch of falsehood targeted at tarnishing the image of a God sent man called Amos Itihwe.

According to a press statement signed by Mr. Precious Onome Ejenake, Media Assistant to Chief Amos Itihwe, and made available to our reporter, he said that “it has also been observed that secrets reporters lack news to publish, hence they copied the pictures of the ongoing project of the Palace of the Okobara of Ughenvwien  from my previous post on Facebook –  a well meaning project loved by many. If they knew their job and actually reports facts, then they would have gone to the site to take recent pictures. But because they are cheap blackmailers – seeking for stomach infrastructure, they seat at home, copy pictures from previous post and fabricates lies just to impress but a few.”

The statement reads, “It may interest the general public to know the origin and truth about the said project. The project with respect to the building of the palace of the Okobara of Ughenvwien has been in DESOPADEC budget since 2012 which was formally passed by the then State House of Assembly.

“The contract was awarded in 2013 after passing through due process but the pace of work since then has been slow. Chief Amos Itihwe who was appointed by the people’s governor – Senator Ifeanyi Okowa in August , 2015 saw the need to complete the project occasion by the flood which rampaged the temporary palace of the Okobara of Ughenvwien in October 2015.

“Instead of spending  huge amount of money for flood control and payment for lost properties at the temporary palace of the Okobara of Ughenvwien,  Itihwe taught it wise to direct the contractor  to immediately return to site and ensure the speedy completion of the palace for the King to move in as soon as possible. The contractor actually complied with the directive of Chief Itihwe hence the project is presently at the final stage.

“This no doubt has generated a blood of envy and jealousy from people of some other kingdoms or Clans who felt it should have been theirs that is now completed. I must State here that the completion of the said project is very timely and a welcome development in Urhobo land. It is as important as any other project because we have regard and respect for our Kings.

“Chief Amos Itihwe did not act under any influence or sentiment because he is not from Ughenvwien but Okparabe Clan. If he was sentimental, then he would have considered the Palace of the Ovie of Okparabe first .

“Chief Amos Itihwe as an ambassador of Okowa’s prosperity message is poise to implement to the letters the SMART agenda of his Excellency Senator Ifeanyi Okowa. Itihwe can never be distracted by critics and cheap blackmail and his good works has since shown that.

“Just six months in office he has completed an ultra modern palace for the Okobaro of Ughenvwien, he has completed the rehabilitation of Ubogo / Ogbo – udu road, he has distributed books to over six schools, he has given out scholarship to over thirty pupils and students , he has inspected over fifty projects among others.

“I use this opportunity to call on all Deltans more especially those of his mandate area to continue in their support for Chief Itihwe so that the needed development will easily be met by the grace of God. I see Itihwe as a man who has the courage of his convictions; who would state his positions on any state or national matters without equivocation and often with unassailable candour.

“He is one who possesses an unrivalled capacity to attract and retain the loyalty of exceptional men of intelligence, thought and action. Above all, he is disciplined.  Itihwe is a man of honour, who possesses the intelligence and knowledge to apprehend the multifaceted aspects of his challenging and energy sapping assignments.